"Gathering Shadows" by C. J. Wallingsford

Gathering Shadows is a decadent, dark story about fate. The Webs of Fate series is an addicting forbidden love, dark romantic fantasy with witty banter, heart-stopping action, and blistering hot romance set in a vibrant modern-day world full of magic where myth and history blur together in a mockery of truth.

Callahan
Welcome to the Dark, Little Star.

Natalia saves my life. Mistake or not, it puts her on the board as a player. The Light will hunt her for the betrayal and the Dark will seek her to use her. I sink my claws into Natalia, twisting her into a contract. I have uses for her, and for the Light she carries within her.

The annual Gathering Shadows Ceremonies loom on the horizon, twelve days where I’m forced to compete for the Dark Throne. It’s kill or be killed. I name her as my partner, but she’s a wild card, fighting my authority as her alpha. She’s breathtaking, raw power I’m drawn to, but she might cost me everything.

Natalia

 

It was an accident.

As a Magia I have two obligations: an arranged betrothal to preserve my Magia bloodline and protect humans from the Seraphinus. I didn’t mean to save the life of a Darkling. In my defense, I was hung over and thought he was human. Oops.

I accept a contract trying to postpone marrying a man I don’t love and unwittingly sell my life to Callahan. He claims to be my alpha now, but it’s stupid to trust a man who admits he wants to use me. He is a Dark Seraphinus, wickedly brutal and lacks remorse. Still, the way he stares at me with hungry desire and holds my hand tempts me, and I’m in more danger than losing my life.